In the summer of 2024, the Olympics and Paralympics took place in Paris, bringing together thousands of athletes from around the world to showcase their passion. The Olympics kicked off on July 26th, and the Paralympics will start on August 28th. It was an incredible celebration.
1. Enjoy the Paris Olympics and Paralympics in New Ways!
Did you hear that the Paris 2024 Olympics is making special arrangements for visually impaired people? One of the cool things is that blind football and goalball will be part of this year’s Paralympics! There’s also a lot of focus on how they’ll make the events more accessible. So, let’s check out some of the accessibility features they’ve got lined up!
- Audio Commentary: A commentator will give super detailed descriptions of the games. This way, visually impaired viewers can follow the action and feel the excitement just like they’re there in person.
- Vibration Vests: Another cool feature is the vibration vest. It turns sounds into vibrations, so you can feel things like the cheer of the crowd when a goal is scored. Amazing!
Tactile Tablets: These tablets let you feel the information on the screen with your fingertips, helping you understand the players’ positions and what’s happening on the field by touch.
A group of visually impaired individuals wearing headsets and watching the game using tactile tablets.
A group of visually impaired individuals wearing headsets and watching the game using tactile tablets.
People wearing vibration vests designed for those with hearing impairments/deafness.
Thanks to these innovative technologies, it looks like this will truly be a celebration everyone can enjoy together. With accessibility improving at every Olympics, it’s exciting to think about how much further it could expand for the next LA Olympics! If you’re curious to learn more, check out the details at the link below.
2. Check the Paris Olympics pictograms using the Dot Pad.
Paris Olympics Official Logo and Olympic Rings Transformed into a Dot Canvas Image
When the Olympics come around, many people gather in front of their TVs to enjoy the spectacular opening ceremony. However, for visually impaired individuals, this experience might be a bit more challenging. For example, when the Olympic Rings, one of the most recognizable symbols of the Games, appear on screen, it’s hard to fully imagine their beauty just through audio descriptions.
So, how can we help visually impaired individuals feel the excitement of the Olympics more fully? By using the Dot Pad, they can actually feel the shape of the Olympic logo and rings with their hands. This way, not only can they experience the symbols up close, but it might also spark more interest in the fascinating history and meaning behind the Olympics!
Checking Out the Paris Olympics Logo and Rings on the Dot Pad
It’s not just the Olympic logo and rings you can explore! With the Dot Pad, you can also check out all 62 pictograms from the Olympics and Paralympics, plus the Paralympic mascots! We’ve created some pictograms for various Olympic and Paralympic sports. Let’s look at these images!
Archery Pictogram Braille DTM Conversion Image
Equestrian Pictogram Braille DTM Conversion Image
Canoeing Pictogram Braille DTM Conversion Image
Disabled Football Pictogram Braille DMT Conversion Image
Goalball Pictogram Braille DTM Conversion Image
Next up, let’s see how the Paralympic mascot looks on the Dot Pad! The mascot for the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics is named "Phryge." Inspired by France’s tricolor (blue, red, and white), Phryge sports a playful Phrygian cap and sneakers. For the Paralympics, Phryge features a prosthetic blade on its right leg.
Mascot "Frijou" Pictogram Braille DTM Conversion Image
3. Let's cheer for a successful wrap-up of the Paris Olympics & Paralympics!
The Paris Paralympics will be held from August 28 to September 8, featuring 4,400 athletes from 185 countries competing in 22 sports over 11 days. Among the 18 venues, the Grand Palais will host events such as para-taekwondo and wheelchair fencing, while blind football matches will take place beneath the Eiffel Tower.
A visually impaired football match unfolding near the iconic Eiffel Tower
Paralympic athletes train just as hard and compete fiercely, often delivering dramatic and thrilling performances. In fact, some Paralympic athletes even set records that surpass those of their Olympic counterparts. Watching these incredible athletes push beyond their physical limits is truly inspiring. This year, over 150 athletes will compete in the Paris Paralympics. Who will be the first to win a gold medal? 😉
A photo of Samsung Electronics, the official partner of the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics, showcasing their campaign message (‘Open always wins’) alongside athletes.